Everton's victory lifted them to eighth in the table with 16 points from 11 games while Sunderland remained second from bottom on six points.

Roberto Martinez's men were 2-0 up inside 31 minutes thanks to Kone and Spanish forward Gerard Deulofeu.

Kone sent a looping ball over the defence for Deulofeu to score the opener and the Ivory Coast international added a second goal following a one-two with strike partner Romelu Lukaku on the edge of the box.

Jermain Defoe inspired a brief Sunderland rally, volleying their first goal in stoppage time before playing a part in Steven Fletcher's headed equaliser in the 50th minute.

The visitors, however, were always vulnerable to the counter attack and Everton made it 3-2 when Sebastian Coates prodded a right-wing cross from Deulofeu into his own net.

Deulofeu also set up the fourth for Lukaku, with the Belgian rounding goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon to score.

Another Everton counter-attack led to Kone planting the ball into the net with his left foot in the 62nd minute before the Ivorian completed the rout with a close-range header following a centre with the outside of his left boot from Lukaku.